New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says it expects to kick off the online casino licensing process in July 2026, but stresses the schedule is still provisional because the Online Casino Gambling Bill is not yet final law.

If the rollout follows DIA’s current plan, the market will be limited to up to 15 licences, with a maximum of three licences per holder and an initial licence term of up to three years.

A staged pathway: interest screening, then an auction

The July launch is expected to start with Expressions of Interest (EOIs), where applicants must provide detailed information on the business and key officers, including compliance history. DIA says this gate is designed to weed out unsuitable entrants checking issues like sufficient capital, dishonesty convictions, and reputational risk to New Zealand.

Only providers whose EOIs are accepted would be invited into the next step: a competitive auction, which determines who earns the right to submit a full licence application.

What happens after the auction and when unlicensed sites must stop

From October 2026, successful bidders would move into the full application phase, which DIA describes as a comprehensive filing that includes a business plan and detailed strategies covering advertising/marketing, consumer protection, harm prevention and minimisation, and compliance. A licence cannot be granted unless the applicant is deemed suitable and able to meet the regime’s requirements.

DIA also sets a hard line for the market transition: from 1 December 2026, any provider that has not applied must cease offering online casino gambling in New Zealand. Providers that have applied may continue operating without advertising until a decision is made if declined, they must exit immediately; if approved, they can operate fully under the new rules.

Source: https://sigma.world/news/new-zealand-plans-july-start-for-online-casino-licence-applications/